Feather-cleaning machine



W. HOOD.-

FEATHER CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED lugv 21.1921.

Patented Apr. 18, 1922.

3 SHtt S-SHEET 1.

W. HOUU.

FEATHER CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21,192!- 1,413,120., nted Apr- 18, 1922.

W. HOOD.

CHINE.

Patented Apr. 18, 1922 3 SHhEIS-SHEE A R I A A.

W ""l llllll gg 5%WW .1? 4? I Iii", Hi A UNITED STATES PJEENT' OFFICE.

WILLIAM HOOD, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 CRESCENT FEATHERCOMPANY, or SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

Application filed July 21, 1921.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, l/VILLIAM Hoop, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in aFeather-Cleaning Machine, of which the following is a spec-iii cation.

My invention relates'to improvements in feather cleaning machines andthe like wherein a reticulardrum and a beating element mounted thereinare rotated simultaneously in opposite directions within a suctionchamber for the removal of dust and refuse from feathers.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved machine forcleaning feathers and the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide-a rotatable drum andbeating element arranged to be rotated simultaneously in oppositedirections to remove dust and refuse from feathers.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means forpreventing the loss of feathers from a cleaning drum.

Another object is to provide a feather cleanin drum of an im rovedconstruction adapte to increase e ciency in cleaning feathers.

A still further Object is to provide improved means for introducing andwithdrawing feathers from a cleaning drum while in motion.

A still further object is to provide an improved device of the characterdescribed arranged to remove light and heavy refuse through separateconduits to facilitate the recovery and separation of down and finefeathers therefrom.

It is also an object to provide improved means for admitting chemicalsinto a cleaning drum for sterilizing and preserving feathers.

I accomplish these and other Objects by means of the device disclosed inthe drawings forming a part of the present specification wherein likecharacters of reference are used to designate similar parts throughoutsaid specification and drawings, and in which- Fig. 1 is a broken sideelevation, partly in I section, of my improved feather cleaning machine;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 1922. Serial No. 486,620.

IS a section taken along the line 1 is used to designate in general asuction chamber havin a hingedly connected door 2. Upper and owersuction conduits 3 and 4 Open into the chamber 1 at the top and bottomthereof through longitudinally disposed slots 6 and 7, respectively.

A pair of bearing hubs 8 are rigidly secured within the chamber 1 uponthe endsthereof to receive inwardly extending flanges 9 formed at theends of a drum 11 rotatably mounted upon said hub. The drum 11 comprisesa skeleton frame consisting of a plurality of annular rings 12connected. by a plurality of parallel longitudinal ribs 13 to form aplurality of rectangular openings 14 adapted to receiveiwall segments16. The segments 16 comprise a frame 17 of rectangular shapecorresponding to the openings 14 and of arcuate cross section conformingto the curvature of the rings 12. A screen 18 of very fine mesh issecured upon the inner side and a screen 19 of coarse mesh is securedupon the outer side of each frame 17 to form double screen walls. Aplurality of balls 21 are provided between the screens 18 and 19 of eachsegment l6,'the outer screen 19 being provided for retaining the balls21 within the 95' port the segments 16 flush with the surface of thedrum. Latches 20 are provided for removably retaining the segments 16against the shoulders 15. A shaft 22, centrally disposed in the drum 11extends outwardly through sleeves 23 mounted in the hubs 8 and the endsof lot nally through the chamber 1 adjacent the lower ortion of the drumllare provided with riction pulleys 27 arranged to frictionally engagethe outer periphery of each flange 9, a strip of leather belting 28 orother suitable friction producing material being secured upon saidperiphery to insure operative engagement. The ends of the shafts 26extend outwardly from the chamber 1 and are provided at one end withsprocket wheels 29 arranged to receive a chain 31 operating over both ofsaid sprocket wheels 29 and a sprocket wheel 32 mounted upon the shaft22 whereby rotation of the shaft 22 in one direction will rotate theshafts '26 and cause the friction pulleys 27 to rotate the drum 11 in anopposite direction at a slower speed.

A conduit communicating with the drum 11 through the hub 8 and the wallat one end of the chamber 1 is arranged to conduct feathers to becleaned into the drum 11 from a hopper, not shown, the feathers beingmoved through the conduit 33 by a current of air from any suitablesource of air pressure not'shown.

A conduit 34 communicates with the drum 11 through the other hub 8 andend wall, said conduit 34 being arranged to remove the feathers from thedrum 11 by suction.

A steam connection 36 having a chemical dispensing cup 37 connectedtherewith com- 'municates with the drum 11 through one end thereof toadmit warm air for drying the feathers after cleaning as hereinafterexplained.

Check valves 39 are provided in the conduits 3, 4, 33, 34 and 38,whereby said 0011- duits may be closed or opened to any desired degree.

The'hubs 8 are rigidly mounted within the chamber 1 to permit theconduits .33, 34 and 38 and the steam connection 36 to open within thedrum 11 whilesaid drum is rotating. Y

The operation of my improved feather cleaning machine is as follows:

A quantity of feathers to be cleaned is introduced into the drum 11through the conduit 33 by air pressure. A valve 41 in the steamconnection is then opened to admit steam into the drum 11, and powerapplied to rotate the shaft 22 carrying the beating rods 24. The steamsoftens the feathers and the movement of the rods 24 through thefeathers causes all dust and dirt to be loosened. Suction within thechamber 1, maintained by the suction conduits 3 and 4,

causes the dust and dirt to be drawn through the fine mesh screen uponthe inner side of the wall segments 16 and carried away, the fine lightlint and down from the feathers being carried upwardly and outthroughthe conduit. 3 while the more heavy dust and other refuse willdrop downwardly and be removed through the lower conduit 4. An inclinedbafile mounted adjacent the slot 6 directs the light material into theupper conduit 3, and inclined bottom plates 43 direct the heavy refuseinto the lower conduit 4.

The down and the light dust drawn through the drum 11 are carried by therotation of the drum into the upper portion of the chamber l where it isdiverted by the baffle 42 into the conduit 3, the baflie 42 being,extended downwardly to a point adjacent the periphery of the drum andinclined at an angle adapted to divert the down and dust upwardly intothe conduit 3. The heavy dust and feathers that work outwardly throughthe drum screens fall by gravity to the bottom. of the chamber 1 and aredrawn into the conduit 4 by suction.

The conduits 3 and 4 discharge into separating devices, not shown, forrecovering the down and feathers from waste material thereby preventingloss of a gortion of the most valuable part of the feat ers.

In my present practice the shaft 22 is rotated at a speed of about twohundred revolutions per minute and the shafts 26driven therefrom aregeared to rotate the drum 11 in the opposite direction as abovedescribed at a speed of about forty revolutions. per minute. In thismanner the feathers are maintained in constant agitation, the feathersin all portions of the drum being equally 105 effected due to therevolving of the drum in a direction opposing the rotation of thebeating rods 24.

A sterilizing and preservative chemical is admitted from the cup 37 withthe steam.

When the feathers have been sufficiently steamed, the steam is shut offand a supply of warm air admitted through the conduit 38. Rotation'ofthe shaft 22 and the drum 11 is continued until the feathers have beenthor- 115 oughly dried and all dust and dirt loosened and drawn throughthe screen walls of the drum. The conduit 38 is then closed and theconduit 34 is opened to exert a strong suction sufficient to draw thefeathers out of the drum 11 and deliver them to any desired point forclassifying or other treat- Wool 45 presented to the inner periphery ofthe flange 9 rotating thereon. The wool fiber permits free rotation ofthe. drum and effectively prevents the entrance of feathers or down intothe bearing. 1 Annular strips 46 are secured upon the sides ofthefflanges 9 to enclose the bearing surfaces and the packing strip 44.

The balls 21 are provided within the seg- 'ments 16 for keeping thescreens 18-and 19 clean to permit a free passage of dust therethrough.As the drum 11 rotates the balls 21 roll back andforth within thesegments 16 thereby dislodging any dust and feathers that may cling toeither screen. The balls 21 also reduce the loss of feathers through thescreen 18; In order for a feather to be drawn through the inner screen,the quill of the feather must first penetrate the screen, As the ballsare rolled back and forth over the screen the points of such quills areusually struck by one of the balls and dislodged thereby preventing thefeather from being drawn through the screen.

If it is desired to inspect the feathers during the cleaning process,the shaft 22 is stopped and the door 2 opened. Any one of the segments16 may then be removed from the drum and access to the feathersbeobtained through the opening 14,

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided amachine for cleaning feathers which will operate in a quick andeffective manner. The dust and lint from the feathers is prevented fromescaping into the room to become an annoyance to workmen, and a singleoperator may care for a number of machines thereby materially forintroducing steam into said drum for cleaning purposes; means forintroducing air into the drum to dry the feathers after the introductionof said steam; and means for withdrawing the feathers from the drumafter cleaning.

introduction of said steam; and means forwithdrawing the feathers fromthe drum after cleaning.

4. A feather cleaning machine comprising a suction chamber; a reticulardrum rotat-' ably mounted within the chamber; a beating elementrotatablymounted Within the drum; means for rotating the drum and thebeating element; a conduit communicating with the drum for introducingfeathers thereinto by air pressure; means for introducing steam intosaid drum; means for introducing air into the drum to dry the feathersafter the introduction of said steam; and a suction conduitcommunicating with the drum for removing the feathers therefrom bysuction after cleaning.

5. A feather cleaning machine comprising a suction chamber; a drumrotatably mounted Within the chamber, said drum having spaced inner andouter reticular Walls; a

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balls mounted between the reticular walls for dislodging feathers andrefuse therefrom.'

8. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; a reticular drumrotatably mounted within the chamber; a beating element rotatablymounted within the drum; means for rotating the drum and the beatingelement; suction conduits opening into the chamber at the top and 'atthe bottom thereof for the withdrawal of light and heavy refusetherefrom; a conduit opening into the drum for the introduction by airpressure of feathers to be cleaned; and a conduit opening into' the drumfor the withdrawal of said feathers after cleaning.

9. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; a reticular .drumrotatably mounted within the chamber; a beating element rotatablymounted within the drum; means. for rotating the drum and the beatingelement; suction conduits opening into the chamber at thetop and at thebottom thereofv for'the withdrawal of light and heavy refuse therefrom;a conduit opening into the drum. for the introduction by air pressure offeathers to be cleaned; a conduit opening into the drum forthewithdrawal of said feathers after cleaning; and means for introducingsteam into the drum for cleaning purposes.

10. A feather cleaning machine comprising-a chamber; a reticular drumrotatably mounted within the chamber; a heating element rotatablymounted within the drum;

means for rotating the drum and the beatingelement; suction conduitsopening into the chamber at the top and at the bottom there-, of for thewithdrawal of light and heavy refuse therefrom; a conduit opening intothe drum for the introduction by air pressure of feathers to be cleaned;a conduit opening into the drum for the withdrawal of said feathersafter cleaning; means for .introducing steam into the drum for cleaningpurposes; and means for introducing air into the drum for drying thefeathers therein after the introduction of said steam.

11. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; a reticular drumrotatably mounted within the chamber; a beating ele-' ment rotatablymounted within the drum;

means for rotating thedrum and the beating element; suction conduitsopening into the chamber at the top and at the bottom thereof for thewithdrawal of light and heavy" refuse therefrom; a conduit opening intothe drum for the introduction by air pressure of feathers to be cleaned;a conduit opening into the drum for the withdrawal of said feathersafter cleaning; means for introducing steam into the drum for cleaningpurposes; means for introducing sterilizing chemicals into the drum withsaid steam; and means for introducing air into the drum for drying thefeathers therein after the in troduction of said steam and chemicals.

12. A feather cleaning machine comprising a chamber; a drum rotatablymounted within the chamber, said drum having spaced inner and outerreticular walls; a beating element rotatably mounted within the drum;means for rotating the drum and the beating element; conduitscommunicating with the drum for the introduction by pressure of feathersthereinto for cleaning, and for the withdrawal by suction aftercleaning; suction conduits opening into the chamber at the top and atthe bottom thereof for the removal of light and heavy refuse therefrom;means for introducing steam into the drum; means for drying the featherswithin the drum after the introduction ofsaid steam; and means mountedbetween the walls of the drum for dislodging feathers and refusetherefrom.

13. In a feather cleaning machine of the character described, arotatable drum comprising a skeleton frame; a plurality of wall segmentsremovably mounted upon said frame, said segments having screens of fineand coarse mesh upon the inner and outer sides thereof respectively forthe passage outer sides thereof respectively for the passage of dust andrefuse outwardly from the drum; and means mounted between the screens ofeach segment I for dislodging refuse and feathers therefrom.

15. In a feather cleaning machine of the character described, arotatable drum comprising a skeleton frame; a plurality of wall segmentsremovably mounted upon said frame; said segments having screens of fineand coarse mesh upon the inner and outer sides thereof respectively forthe passage of dust and refuse outwardly from the drum; and ballsenclosed between the screens of each segment to move freely therein fordislodging refuse and feathers therefrom.

16. In a feather cleaning machine of the character described, a pair ofrigidly mount ed hubs; a reticular drum rotatably mounted upon saidhubs; and a fibrous packing secured between the periphery of each huband the drum to prevent the passage of feathers therebetweenr 17. In afeather cleaning machine of the character described, a rotatably mountedreticular drum; a beating element rotatably 19 mounted within the drum;.and means for rotatin v ment simultaneously at different speeds.

In witness whereof I- hereunto set my 1 5 signature.

WILLIAM Hoon.

the drum and the beating elein opposite directions-

